Straight-Walled Rifle Cartridges

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Summary

 

Introduction

The legal use of straight-walled rifle cartridges for deer hunting varies by state. In the last decade, ten states have allowed for the use of straight-walled rifle cartridges during their firearm deer season, many of which were previously limited to shotguns or slug guns. In 2014, Michigan allowed the use of straight-walled cartridges in what was known as their shotgun zones. Opening these zones to the use of straight wall rifle cartridges increased hunting opportunities, particularly among those unable to effectively shoot a shotgun or slug gun, within the densely populated southern portions of the state. Illinois, in 2023, allowed hunters to use single-shot rifles that are chambered in a straight-wall rifle cartridges during their firearm deer hunting season, a stark departure from their traditional opportunities. Before these changes, only the use of shotguns and muzzleloaders were allowed during the firearm seasons statewide.

States that do permit the use of straight-walled cartridges often have requirements related to the case length or bullet caliber that hunters must follow. These restrictions, though varied, are designed to ensure the lethality of these methods of take while maintaining the safety considerations that prompted their use in the first place. Often first approved in areas that are typically limited to the use of shotguns or muzzleloaders, straight-walled rifle cartridges are viewed a safe, effective, and ethical choice in areas that are densely populated, where bullets fired from rifles chambered for bottle-necked cartridges may travel further than intended, thereby posing a threat to public safety. Straight-walled rifle cartridges are well suited for these areas as they often feature flat-faced bullet design – which allows them to be safely loaded into tubular magazines – that can result in lower muzzle velocity and shorter range relative to their bottlenecked counterparts. Compared to the increased maintenance required for muzzleloaders and the considerable recoil associated with shotguns and slug guns, expanding the use of these cartridges can also help with hunter recruitment and retention as it can provide another tool to be used in areas that are restricted to shotguns or muzzleloaders.

Points of Interest

  • Straight-walled rifle cartridges offer an effective tool for deer hunting in areas of dense population and zones that have historically been limited to shotguns and muzzleloaders.
  • In 2014, Ohio allowed or the use of straight-walled rifle cartridge calibers from a minimum of .357 to a maximum of .50 during their deer firearm season.
  • In 2016, Indiana allowed the use of cartridges that fire a .357 caliber or larger with a case length of 1.16 inches and 1.8 inches during the firearm deer season.
  • In 2017, Iowa allowed the use of straight-walled rifle cartridges .850 inches to 1.80 inches during the youth, disabled, and shotgun seasons.
  • In 2018, West Virgina allowed the use of casing between 1.16 inches and 1.8 inches, with minimum of .357 caliber during the regular firearm deer season.
  • In 2020, Maryland allowed the use of straight-walled rifle cartridges .357 caliber or larger during their firearm season.
  • In 2021, Minnesota allows cartridges of a case length of at least 1.285 inches with a bullet diameter of .350 inches during the regular firearm season.
  • In 2021, Pennsylvania allowed the use of straight-walled rifle cartridges .357 caliber or larger within areas designated as special regulation areas.
  • In 2024, Arkansas adopted regulatory changes that authorized hunters to utilize non-semi-automatic rifles in straight wall chamberings during the Natural State’s muzzleloader deer hunting season.

Moving Forward 

In areas that are currently limited to the use of muzzleloaders and shotguns, policymakers are encouraged to work their state fish and wildlife agency to explore the expanded the use of straight-walled cartridges during their state’s firearm deer hunting seasons. Straight-walled rifle cartridges have become popular for deer hunting due to their often lower recoil, effectiveness, and lower risk of over-penetration compared to many bottlenecked cartridges.

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